Halloween Safe Zone Ready for Night of Ghouls

Those preparing for Halloween will want to be sure to add a stop downtown as the 6th Annual NB Halloween Safe Zone is set to take place Oct 31 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

“Once again we will be having a party downtown, with a DJ, the New Britain YWCA School of Dance Junior and Senior Company and this year an improv from the New Britain Youth Theater,” said Robin Vinci, editor of the New Britain City Journal and co-chairman of the event. “Each year the event gets bigger and better. The highlight of the event is over 30 stops where kids trick or treat for candy.”

At 6:15 p.m. children should meet up at the stage at Central Park so winners of the costume contest will be announced. Candy will be given out by both trunk or treaters and local businesses.

The event will be from Washington Street to Bank Street, Main Street from Columbus Blvd to Chestnut Street. Streets will be closed and police will be present.

A fire truck and other emergency equipment will be on hand for children to view. The YWCA Dancers will perform “Thriller” from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. The New Britain Youth Theater will perform from 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Mayor Erin Stewart and The New Britain Parks and Recreation Department also will present events in front of City Hall. Jaws Pawn Shop will hand out balloons for the children.

Children prizes include gift certificates from Amato’s, New Britain Youth Museum, New Britain Industrial Museum, Hole in the Wall Theater tickets and more. Children and adult prizes will be awarded.

Participants are asked to visit the Judge’s Booth, located between City Hall and the Board of Education, in order to be eligible for prizes.

“The safety of the event has been lauded, not only on social media and in print but on NBC Connecticut, WVIT Channel 30, WFSB CBS Channel 3, and was listed by WTNH ABC News8 which listed our event as one of the Top Ten Best Halloween Events to attend,” said Gerry Amodio, downtown district director and co-chair of the event.

In order to keep the event going a Pizza Party fundraiser will be held on Oct. 19 from 6-9 p.m. at Grand Pizza, 136 Main St. It costs $10 per person and includes pizza and beverages.

The fundraiser will also have raffle prizes including tickets to The Bushnell and the WolfPack, Gift certificates for Amato Toys, East Side Restaurant, Capitol Lunch, Chili’s, AppleBees, Price Chopper and Footprints. CT Furriers, Avery’s Soda and other businesses also donated prizes.

“We are very thankful to all the City businesses who donated for this great event,” said Vinci. “We hope many people turnout for the fundraiser so that the 5,000 who attend on Halloween night can fill their bags with candy.”

If you wish to donate, you can send checks to; Downtown/NBCJ Halloween Trick or Treat Safe Zone, c/o New Britain Down Town District, 66 West Main Street, New Britain, CT 06050. Candy donations are also appreciated.

The event is sponsored by the New Britain City Journal and the Downtown District.